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Revised plans for an accessible housing development on Central Street in northwest Evanston were recommended for approval Wednesday by the city’s Design and Project Review Committee.

The 12-unit proposal, scaled down from a 14-unit plan rejected earlier this year by the Zoning Board of Appeals, now goes back to the ZBA for reconsideration.


A rendering of the proposed development at 3233-49 Central St.

The developers are requesting a variance from city zoning rules, which by right permit only 10 units on the property. As a condition of its approval, the committee said the develpers should include one affordable housing unit on site, rather than make the $75,000 fee-in-lieu payment that otherwise would be permitted under the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance.


Developers Dan and Bill Schermerhorn.

The developers have noted that under the zoning code they could build nine much larger townhouse style units on the property as of right, but say they believe the single-floor, two-bedroom units they are proposing would fill an under-served niche in the market for apartments for older adults who want to be able to age in place.

The project is expected to be on the agenda for the April 17 meeting of the ZBA.

Related stories

Plans revised for accessible units on Central (4/2/18)

How zoning can make affordability difficult (2/21/18)

ZBA to review development plan on Central (2/19/18)

Larger apartments planned on Central Street site (8/4/16)

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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1 Comment

  1. Yay!
    Good for the Design and Project Review Committee! Let’s hope that the zoning people agree! I’ll keep reading your posts, Bill. Thank you.

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